WO2001003218A1 - Htm fuel cell facility and method for operating an htm fuel cell facility - Google Patents

Htm fuel cell facility and method for operating an htm fuel cell facility Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001003218A1
WO2001003218A1 PCT/DE2000/002162 DE0002162W WO0103218A1 WO 2001003218 A1 WO2001003218 A1 WO 2001003218A1 DE 0002162 W DE0002162 W DE 0002162W WO 0103218 A1 WO0103218 A1 WO 0103218A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
process gas
cell system
stack
htm fuel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DE2000/002162
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Manfred Baldauf
Rittmar Von Helmolt
Manfred Poppinger
Meike Reizig
Rolf BRÜCK
Jörg-Roman KONIECZNY
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Emitec Gesellschaft Für Emissionstechnologie Mbh
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE19930874A external-priority patent/DE19930874A1/en
Priority claimed from DE19962683A external-priority patent/DE19962683A1/en
Application filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Emitec Gesellschaft Für Emissionstechnologie Mbh filed Critical Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Publication of WO2001003218A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001003218A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04014—Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
    • H01M8/04225—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0267—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
    • H01M8/04302—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during start-up
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • HTM fuel cell system and method for operating an HTM fuel cell system
  • the invention relates to an HTM fuel cell system and a method for operating an HTM fuel cell system with at least one preheated process gas.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to design a system in which even non-humidified process gas flows to the stack at the operating temperature and / or a more effective one Possibility to preheat the stack to operating temperature after a rest phase.
  • the subject matter of the invention is an HTM fuel cell system which comprises at least one HTM fuel cell unit and at least one process gas supply and discharge channel, at least one device being provided with which at least one process gas can be preheated before entry into a reaction chamber of an HTM fuel cell unit.
  • the invention also relates to a method for operating an HTM fuel cell system, in which at least one process gas is preheated before it enters a reaction chamber and / or is compressed by a suitable geometry of the process gas supply lines.
  • At least one process gas is preheated before entering the stack.
  • the oxidant ie the process gas containing oxygen, is preferably preheated.
  • the device for preheating the process gas (s) is connected to and / or integrated in the process gas supply channel.
  • the device for preheating is integrated in the pole plate, so that the process gas immediately before entering the respective fuel cell unit locally, for example electrically, via heated cooling medium and / or exhaust gas from a cell / another module of the stack such as the reformer , which is led to the process gas inlet, is preheated.
  • the geometry of the lines from the device for preheating to the stack and / or the device itself is calculated and / or selected such that the process gas expanded by the preheating is compressed by the geometry of the lines.
  • the cross-section of at least one line e.g. a passage flow line through the device for preheating
  • the narrowing of the line together with the volume expansion of the process gas provides the desired compression.
  • the device for preheating comprises a heat exchanger, a heating wire and / or a catalytic burner.
  • the device preferably also includes a control and regulating unit with which the temperature of the at least one process gas can be regulated, for example by the amount of the supply air and / or the proportion of the exhaust air returned from the HTM stack (heated cooling air and / or used process gas) are set so that the highest possible temperature of the supplied process gas or adjustment to a setpoint is possible.
  • the boundary condition for the control is the excess reaction gas and / or a known setpoint, which is specified by the control and regulation unit based on a certain parameter such as the operating temperature.
  • the process gas is preheated to cold start the fuel cell system, so that the still cold fuel cell units of the system are heated up with the heat from the process gas before start-up.
  • This is favorable because the process gas, compared to a liquid cooling medium, has a low heat capacity and can be heated quickly and brings this heat specifically into the reaction space which is to be heated up during the cold start phase.
  • At least one process gas is preheated to a temperature between 40 ° C. and 250 ° C., preferably between 70 ° C. and 150 ° C., particularly preferably between 80 ° C. and 130 ° C.
  • the process gas is preheated to approximately the respective operating temperature.
  • the fuel cell system is the entire fuel cell system, which comprises at least one stack with at least one fuel cell unit, as well as the corresponding process gas supply and discharge channels, the end plates, the cooling system with cooling medium and the entire fuel cell stack periphery (reformer, compressor, blower, heating for process gas preheating, etc.).
  • the fuel cell system can be part of a mobile as well as part of a stationary energy conversion system.
  • the stack consists of at least one fuel cell unit with the associated lines and at least part of the cooling system.
  • a fuel cell unit comprises at least one membrane and / or matrix with a chemically and / or physically bound electrolyte, two electrodes, which are located on opposite sides of the membrane and / or matrix, adjacent to at least one electrode, a reaction container, each of which has a pole plate and / or a corresponding edge construction against the environment is completed, devices being provided through which process gas can be introduced and removed into the reaction chamber.
  • the “process gas *” is the gas / liquid mixture which is led through the fuel cell unit and in which at least reaction gas (fuel / oxidant) and / or inert gas and / or product water are present.
  • FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel is passed through a heat exchanger.
  • FIG. 2 also shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel leads through a heat exchanger.
  • FIG. 3 shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel is fed from the heated cooling air.
  • An HTM fuel cell stack 1 can be seen on the right in FIG. From the left comes the process gas supply line 2, which supplies the cathodes with process gas containing oxidant, such as air.
  • the process gas is passed through the heat exchanger 4, into which at least some of the exhaust air from the fuel cell stack also flows via the exhaust line 3.
  • the product water contained is condensed out of the exhaust air from the exhaust gas and / or exhaust air line 3, while the process gas of the line 2 is preheated with the heat thereby released, so that it is introduced preheated into the fuel cell stack 1.
  • FIG. 2 shows an HTM fuel cell stack 1 again. Also from the left is the process gas supply line 2 which carries oxidant such as air.
  • the process gas supply line 2 leads through a heat exchanger 4, through which the cooling circuit 5 of the HTM fuel cell stack also leads.
  • the process gas in the process gas supply line 2 absorbs heat from the heat exchanger 4, where the used and heated coolant from the cooling circuit 5 releases its heat and is thereby regenerated.
  • the process gas exhaust air leaves the HTM fuel cell stack via the exhaust air line 3.
  • the exhaust air line 3 can, at least in part, also open into the heat exchanger 4, so that both the waste heat from the cooling circuit 5 and that of the exhaust air 3 in the heat exchanger 4 reach the process gas are delivered in the feed line 2.
  • the heat exchanger 4 can also be another to be heated or medium to be cooled, such as an exhaust gas from the reformer.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the fuel cell system and of the method in which the process gas is preheated directly in the stack. It is an air-cooled fuel cell stack 1 through which cooling air 6 flows. When flowing through the stack, the air warms up to operating temperature. A part of the heated exhaust air 6 is discharged via the process gas supply line 2, passed through a filter and compressor unit 7 and then introduced into the stack as process gas. The exhaust air is derived from the stack via the exhaust line 3.
  • the device for preheating the process gas is integrated in a housing with the stack.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)

Abstract

According to the invention, at least one process gas (2) that is fed to the reaction chamber is preheated (4) during operation of an HTM fuel cell facility (1) so that the inflowing process gas does not cool off the reaction chamber locally. Furthermore, preheated gas is fed through the stack during the starting phase of an HTM fuel cell facility due to the fact that process gas can be heated rapidly and directly transports the heat into the reaction chamber.

Description

Beschreibungdescription
HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage und Verfahren zum Betrieb einer HTM-BrennstoffzellenanlageHTM fuel cell system and method for operating an HTM fuel cell system
Die Erfindung betrifft eine HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage mit zumindest einem vorgewärmten Prozeßgas.The invention relates to an HTM fuel cell system and a method for operating an HTM fuel cell system with at least one preheated process gas.
Bei herkömmlichen PEM (Polymer-Elektrolyt-Membran) -Brennstoffzellenanlagen müssen die Prozeßgase befeuchtet werden und dabei werden, um einen unerwünschten Temperaturgradienten zu vermeiden, diese gleichzeitig vorgewärmt, so daß die Prozeßgase den BrennstoffZeilenstack und/oder die Brennstoff- zelleneinheiten nicht kalt, also mit der Umgebungstemperatur anströmen, sondern gleich die Betriebstemperatur haben. Bei der neuen Generation an PEM-Brennstoffzellen, den HTM- (Hochtemperatur-Membran) -Brennstoffzellen, entfällt die Befeuchtung der Prozeßgase, weil die HTM-Brennstoffzelle unabhängig vom Wassergehalt der Zelle funktioniert.In conventional PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell systems, the process gases have to be humidified and, in order to avoid an undesirable temperature gradient, they have to be preheated at the same time so that the process gases do not cold the fuel stack and / or the fuel cell units, ie with flow to the ambient temperature, but have the operating temperature. With the new generation of PEM fuel cells, the HTM (high temperature membrane) fuel cells, there is no need to humidify the process gases because the HTM fuel cell works independently of the water content of the cell.
Beim Starten einer BrennstoffZeilenanlage wird bislang erst mühsam der Stack auf eine Temperatur über dem Gefrierpunkt des Elektrolyten gebracht, bevor die Prozeßgase, befeuchtet und vorgewärmt in den Stack geleitet werden. Die neueUp to now, when starting a fuel line system, the stack has only been laboriously brought to a temperature above the freezing point of the electrolyte before the process gases are passed into the stack, moistened and preheated. The new
Generation an PEM-Brennstoffzellen arbeitet mit Elektrolyten, deren Gefrierpunkt oft erheblich über der Umgebungstemperatur liegen, so daß die Aufwärmphase zu lange wäre, um eine mobile Anwendung der Brennstoffzellenanlage ins Auge zu fassen.Generation of PEM fuel cells works with electrolytes, the freezing point of which is often considerably above the ambient temperature, so that the warm-up phase would be too long to consider mobile use of the fuel cell system.
Die beiden Probleme der HTM-Brennstoffzelle, die lange Aufwärmphase einerseits und die fehlende Vorwärmung über die Befeuchtung andererseits sind bislang noch ungelöst.The two problems of the HTM fuel cell, the long warm-up phase on the one hand and the lack of preheating via the humidification on the other hand, have not yet been solved.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es deshalb, eine Anlage zu konzipieren, bei der auch unbefeuchtetes Prozeßgas den Stack mit Betriebstemperatur anströmt und/oder die eine effektivere Möglichkeit zur Vorheizung des Stacks auf Betriebstemperatur nach einer Ruhephase hat.The object of the invention is therefore to design a system in which even non-humidified process gas flows to the stack at the operating temperature and / or a more effective one Possibility to preheat the stack to operating temperature after a rest phase.
Gegenstand der Erfindung ist eine HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage, die zumindest eine HTM-BrennstoffZelleneinheit und zumindest einen Prozeßgaszuführungs- und ableitungskanal umfaßt, wobei zumindest eine Vorrichtung vorgesehen ist, mit der zumindest ein Prozeßgas vor dem Einlaß in eine Reaktionskammer einer HTM-Brennstoffzelleneinheit vorwärmbar ist.The subject matter of the invention is an HTM fuel cell system which comprises at least one HTM fuel cell unit and at least one process gas supply and discharge channel, at least one device being provided with which at least one process gas can be preheated before entry into a reaction chamber of an HTM fuel cell unit.
Außerdem ist Gegenstand der Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage, bei dem zumindest ein Prozeßgas vor dem Einlaß in eine Reaktionskammer vorgewärmt und/oder durch eine geeignete Geometrie der Prozeß- gaszuleitungen verdichtet wird.The invention also relates to a method for operating an HTM fuel cell system, in which at least one process gas is preheated before it enters a reaction chamber and / or is compressed by a suitable geometry of the process gas supply lines.
Nach einer Ausgestaltung wird zumindest ein Prozeßgas vor dem Eintritt in den Stack vorgewärmt. Bevorzugt wird das Oxidans vorgewärmt, also das Sauerstoff enthaltende Prozeßgas.According to one embodiment, at least one process gas is preheated before entering the stack. The oxidant, ie the process gas containing oxygen, is preferably preheated.
Nach einer Ausgestaltung ist die Vorrichtung zum Vorwärmen des oder der Prozeßgase (s) an den Prozeßgaszuführungskanal angeschlossen und/oder in diesen integriert. Nach einer anderen Ausgestaltung ist die Vorrichtung zum Vorwärmen in der Polplatte integriert, so daß das Prozeßgas unmittelbar vor dem Eintritt in die jeweilige Brennstoffzelleneinheit lokal, beispielsweise elektrisch, über erwärmtes Kühlmedium und/oder Abgas aus einer Zelle/einem anderen Modul des Stacks wie dem Reformer, das zum Prozeßgaseinlaß geführt wird, vorgewärmt wird.According to one embodiment, the device for preheating the process gas (s) is connected to and / or integrated in the process gas supply channel. According to another embodiment, the device for preheating is integrated in the pole plate, so that the process gas immediately before entering the respective fuel cell unit locally, for example electrically, via heated cooling medium and / or exhaust gas from a cell / another module of the stack such as the reformer , which is led to the process gas inlet, is preheated.
Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Geometrie der Leitungen von der Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung zum Stack hin und/oder der Vorrichtung selbst so berechnet und/oder ge- wählt, dass das durch die Vorwärmung expandierte Prozeßgas durch die Geometrie der Leitungen verdichtet wird. Dazu wird der Querschnitt zumindest einer Leitung (z.B. einer Durch- flußleitung durch die Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung) so verkleinert, daß die Verengung der Leitung zusammen mit der Volumenausdehnung des Prozeßgases die gewünschte Komprimierung leistet.According to a preferred embodiment, the geometry of the lines from the device for preheating to the stack and / or the device itself is calculated and / or selected such that the process gas expanded by the preheating is compressed by the geometry of the lines. For this purpose, the cross-section of at least one line (e.g. a passage flow line through the device for preheating) reduced so that the narrowing of the line together with the volume expansion of the process gas provides the desired compression.
Nach einer Ausgestaltung umfaßt die Vorrichtung zum Vorwärmen einen Wärmetauscher, einen Heizdraht und/oder einen Katalyt- brenner. Die Vorrichtung umfaßt bevorzugt auch eine Steue- rungs- und Regeleinheit, mit der die Temperatur des zumindest einen Prozeßgases geregelt werden kann, indem beispielsweise die Menge der Zuluft und/oder der Anteil der aus dem HTM- Stack rückgeführten Abluft ( erwärmte Kühlluft und/oder verbrauchtes Prozeßgas) so eingestellt werden, daß eine möglichst hohe Temperatur des zugeführten Prozeßgases oder ein Einregeln auf einen Sollwert möglich ist. Als Randbedingung für die Regelung gilt der Reaktionsgasüberschuß und/oder ein bekannter Sollwert, der von der Steuer- und Regeleinheit aufgrund eines bestimmten Parameters wie der Betriebstemperatur vorgegeben ist.According to one embodiment, the device for preheating comprises a heat exchanger, a heating wire and / or a catalytic burner. The device preferably also includes a control and regulating unit with which the temperature of the at least one process gas can be regulated, for example by the amount of the supply air and / or the proportion of the exhaust air returned from the HTM stack (heated cooling air and / or used process gas) are set so that the highest possible temperature of the supplied process gas or adjustment to a setpoint is possible. The boundary condition for the control is the excess reaction gas and / or a known setpoint, which is specified by the control and regulation unit based on a certain parameter such as the operating temperature.
Nach einer Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens wird zum Kaltstarten der Brennstoffzellenanlage das Prozeßgas vorgewärmt, so daß die noch kalten Brennstoffzelleneinheiten der Anlage vor Inbetriebnahme mit der Wärme aus dem Prozeßgas aufgeheizt werden. Dies ist günstig, weil das Prozeßgas, im Vergleich etwa zu einem flüssigen Kühlmedium, eine geringe Wärmekapazität hat und schnell erwärmbar ist und diese Wärme gezielt in den Reaktionsraum einbringt, der während der Kaltstartphase aufgeheizt werden soll.According to one embodiment of the method, the process gas is preheated to cold start the fuel cell system, so that the still cold fuel cell units of the system are heated up with the heat from the process gas before start-up. This is favorable because the process gas, compared to a liquid cooling medium, has a low heat capacity and can be heated quickly and brings this heat specifically into the reaction space which is to be heated up during the cold start phase.
Nach einer Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens wird zumindest ein Prozeßgas auf eine Temperatur zwischen 40 °C und 250°C, bevorzugt zwischen 70 °C und 150°C, insbesondere bevorzugt zwischen 80°C und 130°C vorgewärmt. Eine Ausgestaltung sieht vor, daß das Prozeßgas ungefähr auf die jeweilige Betriebstemperatur vorgewärmt wird. Als Brennstoffzellenanlage wird das gesamte Brennstoffzellen- system bezeichnet, das zumindest einen Stack mit zumindest einer Brennstoffzelleneinheit umfaßt, sowie die entsprechenden Prozeßgaszuführungs- und -ableitungskanäle, die Endplatten, das Kühlsystem mit Kühlmedium und die gesamte Brennstoffzellenstack-Peripherie (Reformer, Verdichter, Gebläse, Heizung zur Prozeßgasvorwärmung, etc.). Die Brennstoffzellenanlage kann sowohl Teil eines mobilen als auch Teil eines stationären Energiewandlungssytems sein.According to one embodiment of the method, at least one process gas is preheated to a temperature between 40 ° C. and 250 ° C., preferably between 70 ° C. and 150 ° C., particularly preferably between 80 ° C. and 130 ° C. One embodiment provides that the process gas is preheated to approximately the respective operating temperature. The fuel cell system is the entire fuel cell system, which comprises at least one stack with at least one fuel cell unit, as well as the corresponding process gas supply and discharge channels, the end plates, the cooling system with cooling medium and the entire fuel cell stack periphery (reformer, compressor, blower, heating for process gas preheating, etc.). The fuel cell system can be part of a mobile as well as part of a stationary energy conversion system.
Als Stack wird der Stapel aus zumindest einer Brennstoffzelleneinheit mit den dazugehörigen Leitungen und zumindest einem Teil des Kühlsystems bezeichnet.The stack consists of at least one fuel cell unit with the associated lines and at least part of the cooling system.
Eine Brennstoffzelleneinheit umfaßt zumindest eine Membran und/oder Matrix mit einem chemisch und/oder physikalisch gebundenen Elektrolyten, zwei Elektroden, die sich auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Membran und/oder Matrix befinden, angrenzend an zumindest eine Elektrode eine Reaktionskaitimer, die durch jeweils eine Polplatte und/oder eine entsprechende Randkonstruktion gegen die Umgebung abgeschlossen ist, wobei Vorrichtungen vorgesehen sind, durch die Prozeßgas in die Reaktionskammer ein- und ausgebracht werden kann.A fuel cell unit comprises at least one membrane and / or matrix with a chemically and / or physically bound electrolyte, two electrodes, which are located on opposite sides of the membrane and / or matrix, adjacent to at least one electrode, a reaction container, each of which has a pole plate and / or a corresponding edge construction against the environment is completed, devices being provided through which process gas can be introduced and removed into the reaction chamber.
Als „Prozeßgas* wird das Gas/Flüssigkeitsgemisch bezeichnet, das durch die Brennstoffzelleneinheit geführt wird und in dem zumindest Reaktionsgas (Brennstoff/Oxidans) und/oder Inertgas und/oder Produktwasser vorliegen.The “process gas *” is the gas / liquid mixture which is led through the fuel cell unit and in which at least reaction gas (fuel / oxidant) and / or inert gas and / or product water are present.
Im folgenden wird die Erfindung nun anhand einiger Ausführungsformen weiter verdeutlicht.In the following, the invention will now be further clarified using some embodiments.
In Figur 1 ist eine Brennstoffzellenanlage zu sehen, bei der ein Prozeßgaszuführungskanal durch einen Wärmetauscher ge- leitet wird. In Figur 2 ist auch eine Brennstoffzellenanlage zu sehen, bei der ein Prozeßgaszuführungskanal durch einen Wärmetauscher führt .FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel is passed through a heat exchanger. FIG. 2 also shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel leads through a heat exchanger.
In Figur 3 schließlich ist eine Brennstoffzellenanlage zu sehen, bei der ein Prozeßgaszuführungskanal aus der erwärmten Kühlluft gespeist wird.Finally, FIG. 3 shows a fuel cell system in which a process gas supply channel is fed from the heated cooling air.
In Figur 1 ist rechts ein HTM-Brennstoffzellenstack 1 zu sehen. Von links kommt die Prozeßgaszuführungsleitung 2, die die Kathoden mit Prozeßgas, das Oxidans enthält, wie beispielsweise Luft, versorgt. Das Prozeßgas wird durch den Wärmetauscher 4 geleitet, in den auch zumindest ein Teil der Abluft aus dem Brennstoffzellenstack über die Abgasleitung 3 mündet. Im Wärmetauscher 4 wird aus der Abluft der Abgas- und/oder Abluftleitung 3 das enthaltene Produktwasser auskondensiert, während mit der dabei freiwerdenden Wärme das Prozeßgas der Leitung 2 vorgewärmt wird, so daß es vorgewärmt in den Brennstoffzellenstack 1 eingeleitet wird.An HTM fuel cell stack 1 can be seen on the right in FIG. From the left comes the process gas supply line 2, which supplies the cathodes with process gas containing oxidant, such as air. The process gas is passed through the heat exchanger 4, into which at least some of the exhaust air from the fuel cell stack also flows via the exhaust line 3. In the heat exchanger 4, the product water contained is condensed out of the exhaust air from the exhaust gas and / or exhaust air line 3, while the process gas of the line 2 is preheated with the heat thereby released, so that it is introduced preheated into the fuel cell stack 1.
In Figur 2 ist wieder ein HTM-Brennstoffzellenstack 1 zu sehen. Ebenfalls von links kommt wieder die Prozeßgaszuführungsleitung 2, die Oxidans wie beispielsweise Luft führt. Die Prozeßgaszuführungsleitung 2 führt durch einen Wärme- tauscher 4, durch den auch der Kühlkreislauf 5 des HTM- Brennstoffzellenstacks führt. Während des Betriebs nimmt das Prozeßgas in der Prozeßgaszuführungsleitung 2 Wärme aus dem Wärmetauscher 4 auf, wo das verbrauchte und erwärmte Kühlmittel aus dem Kühlkreislauf 5 seine Wärme abgibt und dadurch regeneriert wird. Die Prozeßgasabluft verläßt den HTM-Brennstoffzellenstack über die Abluftleitung 3. Die Abluftleitung 3 kann aber, zumindest teilweise auch noch in den Wärmetauscher 4 münden, so daß sowohl die Abwärme des Kühlkreislaufs 5 als auch die der Abluft 3 im Wärmetauscher 4 an das Prozeß- gas in der Zuführungsleitung 2 abgegeben werden. In den Wärmetauscher 4 kann auch noch ein anderes zu erwärmendes oder zu kühlendes Medium, wie z.B. ein Abgas aus dem Reformer einfließen.FIG. 2 shows an HTM fuel cell stack 1 again. Also from the left is the process gas supply line 2 which carries oxidant such as air. The process gas supply line 2 leads through a heat exchanger 4, through which the cooling circuit 5 of the HTM fuel cell stack also leads. During operation, the process gas in the process gas supply line 2 absorbs heat from the heat exchanger 4, where the used and heated coolant from the cooling circuit 5 releases its heat and is thereby regenerated. The process gas exhaust air leaves the HTM fuel cell stack via the exhaust air line 3. However, the exhaust air line 3 can, at least in part, also open into the heat exchanger 4, so that both the waste heat from the cooling circuit 5 and that of the exhaust air 3 in the heat exchanger 4 reach the process gas are delivered in the feed line 2. In the heat exchanger 4 can also be another to be heated or medium to be cooled, such as an exhaust gas from the reformer.
In Figur 3 ist eine Ausführungsform der Brennstoffzellen- anläge und des Verfahrens zu sehen, bei der das Prozeßgas direkt im Stack vorgewärmt wird. Es handelt sich um einen luftgekühlte Brennstoffzellenstack 1, durch den Kühlluft 6 strömt. Beim Durchströmen des Stacks erwärmt sich die Luft auf Betriebstemperatur. Aus der erwärmten Abluft 6 wird ein Teil über die Prozeßgaszuführungsleitung 2 abgeführt, durch ein Filter und Verdichter-Aggregat 7 durchgeleitet und dann als Prozeßgas in den Stack eingeleitet. Aus dem Stack wird die Abluft über die Abgasleitung 3 abgeleitet.FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the fuel cell system and of the method in which the process gas is preheated directly in the stack. It is an air-cooled fuel cell stack 1 through which cooling air 6 flows. When flowing through the stack, the air warms up to operating temperature. A part of the heated exhaust air 6 is discharged via the process gas supply line 2, passed through a filter and compressor unit 7 and then introduced into the stack as process gas. The exhaust air is derived from the stack via the exhaust line 3.
Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Brennstoffzellenanlage ist die Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung des Prozessgases in einem Gehäuse mit dem Stack integriert.According to an advantageous embodiment of the fuel cell system, the device for preheating the process gas is integrated in a housing with the stack.
Es wird vorgeschlagen, während des Betriebs einer Brennstoff- zellenanlage zumindest ein Prozeßgas, das der Reaktionskammer zugeführt wird, vorzuwärmen, damit das einströmende Prozeßgas die Reaktionskammer nicht lokal abkühlt. Außerdem wird vorgeschlagen, während der Startphase einer Brennstoffzellenanlage vorgeheiztes Prozeßgas durch den Stack zu leiten, weil Prozeßgas schnell erwärmbar ist und die Wärme direkt in die Reaktionkammer transportiert. It is proposed to preheat at least one process gas which is fed to the reaction chamber during the operation of a fuel cell system so that the inflowing process gas does not locally cool the reaction chamber. It is also proposed to pass preheated process gas through the stack during the start-up phase of a fuel cell system, because process gas can be heated quickly and transports the heat directly into the reaction chamber.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage, die zumindest eine HTM-Brennstoffzelleneinheit und zumindest einen Prozeßgaszuführungs- und ableitungskanal umfaßt, wobei zumindest eine Vorrichtung vorgesehen ist, mit der zumindest ein Prozeßgas vor dem Einlaß in eine Reaktionskammer einer HTM-Brennstoffzelleneinheit vorwärmbar ist.1. HTM fuel cell system, which comprises at least one HTM fuel cell unit and at least one process gas supply and discharge channel, at least one device being provided with which at least one process gas can be preheated before being introduced into a reaction chamber of an HTM fuel cell unit.
2. HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach Anspruch 1, bei der das2. HTM fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the
Prozessgas auf eine Temperatur grösser 100°C aufwärmbar ist.Process gas can be heated to a temperature greater than 100 ° C.
3, HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der das Prozessgas auf eine Temperatur zwi- sehen 40°C und 250 °C aufwärmbar ist.3, HTM fuel cell system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the process gas can be heated to a temperature between 40 ° C and 250 ° C.
4. HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung zumindest das Oxidans vorwärmt.4. HTM fuel cell system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for preheating preheats at least the oxidant.
5.HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung des zumindest einen Prozeßgases unabhängig vom Betrieb der HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage betreibbar ist, also zum Vorheizen des Stacks auf Betriebstemperatur nutzbar ist.5.HTM fuel cell system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device for preheating the at least one process gas can be operated independently of the operation of the HTM fuel cell system, ie can be used for preheating the stack to operating temperature.
6. HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Geometrie zumindest einer Leitung von der Vorrichtung zur Vorwärmung zum Stack hin und/oder der Vorrichtung selbst so gewählt ist, daß das vorgewärmte und damit expandierte Prozeßgas beim Durchfluß verdichtet wird.6. HTM fuel cell system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the geometry of at least one line from the device for preheating to the stack and / or the device itself is selected so that the preheated and thus expanded process gas is compressed as it flows.
7 HTM-Brennstoffzellenanlage nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Vorwärmevorrichtung im Stack inte- griert ist. 7 HTM fuel cell system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the preheating device is integrated in the stack.
8. Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Brennstoffzellenanlage, bei dem zumindest ein Prozeßgas vor dem Einlaß in eine Reaktionskammer vorgewärmt und/oder verdichtet wird.8. A method for operating a fuel cell system, in which at least one process gas is preheated and / or compressed before being introduced into a reaction chamber.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, bei dem zumindest ein Prozeßgas auf eine Temperatur zwischen 40°C und 250°C vorgewärmt wird.9. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least one process gas is preheated to a temperature between 40 ° C and 250 ° C.
10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 oder 9, bei dem das vorgewärmte Prozeßgas vor dem Start der Brennstoffzellen- anläge zum Vorheizen des Stacks benutzt wird.10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the preheated process gas is used to preheat the stack before the start of the fuel cell system.
11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, bei dem die Abwärme aus dem Stack und/oder eines anderen Moduls des Systems zur Vorwärmung des oder der Prozeßgase genutzt wird. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the waste heat from the stack and / or another module of the system is used to preheat the process gas or gases.
PCT/DE2000/002162 1999-07-05 2000-07-03 Htm fuel cell facility and method for operating an htm fuel cell facility WO2001003218A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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DE19930874.8 1999-07-05
DE19930874A DE19930874A1 (en) 1999-07-05 1999-07-05 High temperature membrane (HTM) fuel-cell installation
DE19962683A DE19962683A1 (en) 1999-12-23 1999-12-23 High temperature membrane (HTM) fuel-cell installation
DE19962683.9 1999-12-23

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